Child Nudist Camp?

[unitednudist]

I have heard that child nudist camps have been deemed Illegal (WHICH I THINK IS VERY STUPID. NUDISM IS FOR EVERYONE) I just found out that Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist / Nudist resort has a child camp. I am planning on registering my child. I guess the main question is: Are child nudist camps legal?

Here is the article I found about the nudist camp:
Naturist Youth Camp (Note: two photos have been removed)



Attention all naturist youth campers! Bring your bug spray and a whole lot of sunscreen because this is a clothes-free camping experience.

Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida is proud to be hosting The Naturist Society Youth Camp for the second time. The camp will be held from Sunday, July 20, through Sunday, July 27. The camp program emphasizes many activities that encourage personal growth, such as developing a positive body image and body acceptance that in turn encourages and enhances a higher self-esteem. The campers will also experience and develop positive relationships and naturist ideals.

During this fun filled week, campers will be living in tents. Campers will participate in workshops that will help them to feel good about themselves, encourage team work and develop new friendships. Activities during this fun filled week will include body acceptance games, sing-a-longs, swimming in Sunsport Gardens pool several times a day, arts and crafts, outdoor sports like wiffle ball, tug of war, and slip-n-slide (all with an interesting messy twist), dancing, karaoke, a ten foot sundae, nightly campfires with s’mores, and many opportunities to explore Sunsport Gardens’ 40 acres of natural beauty. This is to just name a few!

Thanks to South Florida Free Beaches for hosting a wonderful fun filled day at clothing optional Haulover Beach last year. Without them the experience would not have been the same. The experience was so successful that we have planned another day trip to Haulover Beach this year where campers will play in the sand and surf, take a walk on the beach, tie-dye, and do some body painting. As the counselors experienced last year, body painting turned into a “paint the counselor” activity, so counselors beware!

Without exception campers will grow in independence, self-reliance and creativity and will develop strong bonds and lasting new friendships, all while having a wonderful fun-filled time that they will always remember.

The camp is designed for young people of all ages. For the very young special arrangements will need to be made with the parents to ensure a positive camp experience. For the older camper, we encourage your help as counselors. Parents, especially those of young campers, are encouraged and welcome to stay at Sunsport Gardens during the week of Youth Camp. Last year all of our campers came from the Florida area. This year we are hoping for campers from all across the country.

The cost for all eight days of fun, growth and community, including all meals is only $200. No one will be excluded due to finances. The deadline for enrollment will be July 1, 2008. If you have any questions, need to make financial arrangements, miss the enrollment date, or want to volunteer to help, please contact Camp Director Sandra Reamer at (800) 551-7217 or email her at budneedsme@comcast.net.


Please come join us for these eight fun-filled days of unforgettable life experiences and lasting friendships at Sunsport Gardens in sunny South Florida.



SSG Naturist Youth Camp will be held Sunday, July 20, through Sunday, July 27, 2008
End Copy
The Link to this article is: http://sunsportgardens.com/index-2.html

[Bob S.]

Child nudist camps are still legal in Florida and most of the country. The Virginia legislature made requirements that parents must be in attendance and present at the camp at all times and Texas changed their day care regulations to require clothing in all public areas of camps, thus making the child nudist camps impossible.

Hypothetically, they would even be legal in Arkansas.

Bob S.

[Fitz1980]

The whole thing is such BS that they were trying to change the laws that made is that anyone under 18 must have a parent with them at all times at a nudist resort. The whole point of a summer camp program is that you spend a few days away from your parents meeting kids your own age and having fun with them. People send their kids to camps based on religion, sports and a million other things so that they can have fun with other kids who are like them. Nudism is just one more thing where it's nice to be able to meet others your own age and have fun with.

[baregreg]

This is a bit off topic. But on that page there is "An Essay by Stephanie"

Here are a couple of quotes from the story.
The people in these places don't care if you're fat or skinny, short or tall; they don't even care if you have a face full of zits. The only thing they care about is if you're a good person.
Then she says:
It's a shame that more young people don't come to the nudist resorts. Most young people are afraid because they don't have the "Perfect Body" but that doesn't matter here. Society today puts way too much stress on the super skinny. I don't understand why people think a size 0 looks good. People my age that are that skinny just look sick to me. If younger people would try coming into these places just once, maybe they would realize that they are beautiful just the way they are. You don't have to be anorexic to look good.
Seems she "does" judge someone by their body. :disappointed:

[bare-belly]

Kids are more likely to act up when parents are not there, and what happens when a child is deemed too old for the camp? Naturist recreating should be kept a family thing, at least until the kids are old enough to be on their own.

Bare-Belly

[KNude]

[QUOTE=bare-belly;190339]Kids are more likely to act up when parents are not there, and what happens when a child is deemed too old for the camp?

How is this any different than any other camp? Church camp, scout camp, 4H camp, etc are all the same. A kid "acting up with out the parents is no different in any of these settings. Likewise, the camps also have age limits. I don't see the difference.

[unitednudist]

Is there any place in the USA I could send my child to without my supervision? I think he would enjoy that much better.

[EricNY]

Is there any place in the USA I could send my child to without my supervision? I think he would enjoy that much better.

The AANR East Youth Leadership Camp is available in late July ages 11-17.

Contact the AANR East Offices.

[fredm74]

Well there are things to consider here, does Sunsport Gardens offer day camps where you would drop your child off in the mornings and then pick them up from camp later during the day or is this a camp where the child is away from home for an entire week?
But going back to the original question I do believe children's nudist camps are legal in the state of Florida. I know a few years ago U.S. Rep Mark Foley tried to shut down children's nudist camps but thankfully was unsuccessful.........

[unitednudist]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ercNY
The AANR East Youth Leadership Camp is available in late July ages 11-17.

I tried to get some Information on that trip and I can't find out If it is just for the child or if I need to provide Supervision?

[EricNY]

Quote:
I tried to get some Information on that trip and I can't find out If it is just for the child or if I need to provide Supervision?

AANR provides incredible supervision, to the point that there has never been an "incident" ever at the youth camps. I am not sure that other[textile] camps can say the same.

Contact the East office for all the details
American Association for Nude Recreation—Eastern Region, Inc.
Post Office Box 160
Pisgah, AL 35765-0160
Phone: 866-372-6833 or 256-657-7497
Fax: 256-657-7495
e-mail: esa@farmerstel.com
Web Site: www.aanr-east.com (http://www.aanr-east.com/)

[SpiderThug]

I would not send my kids to such thing solely due to the risks associated with it. I am not one to get paranoid, this is just something I see has very hard to monitor.

[EricNY]

I would not send my kids to such thing solely due to the risks associated with it. I am not one to get paranoid, this is just something I see has very hard to monitor.

Nope! It is not hard at all. That is why there has NEVER been a problem in all the years that AANR has been doing the camps. I have personal experience with the structure of the camp and can tell you it is far safer than and more educational than boy or girl scout camp. I have more faith in AANR's Youth camp then church camps. I can say that because I have been to all of the above and have seen what the kids do when they have too much free time.

[Walt Iliff]

Thanks ercNY!! I was going to jump in several times, but you seem to have the situation under complete control. Having been an adult staff member at all of the AANR East Youth Leadership Camps, one Florida camp, and the inaugural AANR SW camp, I am enormously impressed with the youths who have attended these camps. Here is a short essay by one of our long time campers who is currently the AANR East Youth President:

"Is my body good enough? In the textile world, I ask myself that question every day. I open magazines and see size two models and I begin to doubt myself. At nude youth camp, and at any nudist resort, I have confidence in myself.
Magazines publish airbrushed models with waists the size of my leg, and it hurts me. I believe it hurts all young girls to be questioning themselves just because of a picture. At nude camps we see each other’s bodies and we see that no one is perfect. I’ve learned to accept who I am and what my body looks like.
Being a nudist isn’t about your body, it’s about feeling comfortable and having a good time just like any other activity. Nudists are genuinely good people. We are a large population that shares a common interest—nudity. That’s why coming together at a nudist camp is so easy—we already share interests.
I’ve been attending the AANR Youth Leadership Camp for five years. I don’t come every year just because they’re fun. I come to meet new people and catch up with old friends. The most important reason I come is because I believe in this camp and all that it teaches us. I want to see this camp go on and grow, and I personally can’t wait to go through the Nude U program.
The giant slip ‘n’ slide and pudding fights are always fun at camp, but I really enjoy the workshops. The games keep me happy while I’m playing them, but the workshops keep me satisfied for much longer because they help me to understand my place in the nudist community much better. Being around other nudists my age shows me that they have the same questions, interests, and passion for nudity as I do.
Next year will be my sixth and final year as a camper at the AANR Youth Leadership Camp. However, I am very glad that I will have the opportunity to be at Nude U. Not only will I enjoy coming back to the camp, but also leading the youth through the same life-changing experiences I have been blessed enough to participate in."

I can't say it any plainer than this. If you have kids in the 11-17 age range, consider one of the Youth Leadership Camps held at several locations (AANR West, AANR Southwest, AANR Florida, and AANR East.) Check with the AANR offices for dates and locations.

Walt Iliff

[unitednudist]

Well there are things to consider here, does Sunsport Gardens offer day camps where you would drop your child off in the mornings and then pick them up from camp later during the day or is this a camp where the child is away from home for an entire week?
But going back to the original question I do believe children's nudist camps are legal in the state of Florida. I know a few years ago U.S. Rep Mark Foley tried to shut down children's nudist camps but thankfully was unsuccessful.........
Regarding your post: Adult supervision is required.

[Agde]

I would not send my kids to such thing solely due to the risks associated with it. I am not one to get paranoid, this is just something I see has very hard to monitor.
Just a european note -- the atmosphere of naturist summer camps that I've attended over the years, either as a kid or camp counselor/supervisor, is absolutely no different from non-naturist summer camps. If anything, the whole naturist principles aspect makes them more like church-sponsored summer camps.

[jon71]

These camps always meet or (usually) exceed what state law requires are far as background checks for staff, and all other safety considerations. If they were deemed unsafe than by extension no camp could be considered safe. If my baby were interested in future years I'd feel better about this than I would some other options.

[krcNY]

I would not send my kids to such thing solely due to the risks associated with it. I am not one to get paranoid, this is just something I see has very hard to monitor.

We were not to sure about sending our kids to the camp too. We took a day and drove out to the resort to meet the people involved with no plans on enrolling our kids.

Needless to say....we were quite impressed with the staff and especially the kids that we met (they came a day early for camp) we ended up sending our daughter to the camp and we are working very hard to promote this summers camp.

[DoctorSurferDude]

AANR is paranoid to a healthy level when it comes to staffing these camps. At "Nude U" college students are trained to be camp counselors, BUT, there are many requirements. They must have previous nudist experience, to the level of either being raised in a nudist home but preferably have attended the AANR camps growing up. There are background checks before they can be trained. They have to be recommended and we count somebody asking to be trained for these camps as a red flag. When it comes to these camps, AANR does the asking and the applicants are hand picked. It is all about being very very very very very careful. As careful as can be.

These camps nurture the future of nudism. So they are vitally important. But the press is intrigued, and that is never a good thing. Any hint of foul play at these camps could be damning to the image of nudism in America. For that reason there are many within AANR who want to eliminate the youth programs, saying they are too much of an investment for too high of a liability. I hope that never happens.

[gadvfreak99]

They have these?

[unitednudist]

They have these?
If by "these" you mean child nudist camps, Yes they do, but they are very hard to find and most of them are just youth programs. Almost ALL of them require adult supervision.

[Walt Iliff]

Hi Folks,

I think that using the phrase "Child Nudist Camps" is somewhat of a misnomer. Technically, the summer program is entitled "Youth Leadership Camp" and is a week long experience for youths aged 11-17 who are children of nudist parents and almost always either members of a nudist club or frequent visitors to nudist environments. The following list of workshops and activities {posted elsewhere by KRC (thanks)} is indicative of the activities the campers can look forward to:

Getting to know you. campers get acquainted activity

Overcoming the Clothing Experience - workshop to help campers become comfortable enough with themselves and their bodies and the bodies of their peers that they will confidently and comfortably undress and remain nude for the remainder of the week.

Show your Leadership - Workship discussing the rules for the week and consrquences of violation.

How well can you swim - Campers will demonstrate their swimming proficiency. Relays and races will establish team spirit and complete the Get-Acquainted activities.

Functional Kids In a Dysfunctional World - Learn how to cope with people with problems, so it doesn't affect you.

Human's - Protecting Yourself...Protecting the kids - identify and deal with potential exploitation of nudist youth.

What is considered Abuse - discussion of various forms of abuse

How to Correctly Fuel Your Engine - The importance of getting good grades and going to college or work.

Pudding Toss

Busted - What Happens when you get Stupid - This is the cops, couselor workship exploring wht happens when you get busted.

Soccer Clinic

I am a Nudist -Am I a nut

Meditation and Relaxation-

What Talent do I have

Body in Check; Mind in Control

Puberty Rites without puberty Wrongs - self-appraisal, self-improvement workshop that their bodies are the best proof of their maturity - and taking care fo their body and their mind is the best proof.

My Personal Growth Plan -

How to write an award winning essay

Abandoning your hangups without sacrificing your values

Noodle relays

Team Water Relays

Campfire Sing A Long with Beverage/Snack Bar

Circle of Friends - every night is a time to share with the campers at the campfire.

There is a bunch more.

The adult camp staff has a variety of life experiences, but each has been active in nudist activities for a number of years, is an AANR member, comes with a recommendation from their home club as well as a recommendation from an AANR regional official, and can pass a comprehensive and thorough background check. The area where the campers stay for the week is roped off, is monitored 24 hours a day, and no one who is not a staff member may come into the camper's area. The policies and procedures we utilize to protect the campers and the staff are extensive and in the almost 20 years has had the effect of zero incidents. A week of youth camp is exhausting for the staff, but enormously rewarding. These kids are our future, both as nudists and citizens. I am proud to work with them and look forward to camp each year.

Walt Iliff

[EricNY]

If by "these" you mean child nudist camps, Yes they do, but they are very hard to find and most of them are just youth programs. Almost ALL of them require adult supervision.

Unitednudist...what is your experience with AANR Youth Camps? How many camps have you been involved with?

[DKirkpatrick]

I have heard that child nudist camps have been deemed Illegal (WHICH I THINK IS VERY STUPID. NUDISM IS FOR EVERYONE) I just found out that Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist / Nudist resort has a child camp. I am planning on registering my child. I guess the main question is: Are child nudist camps legal?



I believe there is a great misunderstanding as to what the "youth camps actually are.

For one, they are not day camps.

The Youth Camps are a program of AANR that mid-to-older teens attend and participate in a variety of workshops geared toward citizenship, leadership, and working as a team. There is of course reacreation, but there are focused agendas.

The camps have been ongoing for a decade or more.

However a few years ago Congressman Mark Foley of Florida (yes THAT Mark Foley) got wind of them via a NY Times press article and made a rather nasty agenda items of it to further his political career. At the time he was running for higher office and had gotten as far as he had on a platform of child protection.

Of course sometime later he was disgraced out of office for sending improper text messages to young male pages in Congress.

The fallout of that was the Youth Camps in three states were at risk of being closed down, and that totally from a lack of any substantive information.

Keep in mind that there is no law that says a legislature cannot pass a stupid law. In fact, if they do, they are indemnified, ie not held responsible.

In VA a law was passed againt such camps provided that such camps can only be held when parents or grandparents are also in attendance with said child/ren. Given that some of the older teens certainly didn't need this, and since this was meant to be an event to foster self-awareness, self-reliance, and independence, that pretty much ended those events in that state - for now. A court case geared to challenge the law was thrown out of court on technical grounds. The law remains unchallenged but at last check there was some effort taking place.

There are some rather pressing parental rights questions at stake there.

In Texas, legislation was considered, then tabled. They then made an end-run around the legislative process by changing the regulations that govern the operation of camp grounds.

In Foley's state (FL), suggested legislation was stopped in its tracks.

So there are no legal issues in Florida. You may however wish to contact the club to get specific details on the program and workshops to see if your teen will be interested first.

This is not all arts, crafts, and volleyball.

DMK :)

[krcNY]

I received a couple PM's from people wanting to know how my daughter felt about camp.

She said that it is the best camp that she has ever been to. She said she was very comfortable with herself as well as the other campers. There were no clicks or people picking on others. Everyone was equal and worked together. She cannot wait to go to camp again this summer. Oh wait...she is adding to it........."I really want to eat Mindy's food, she is a great cook and person!!!!"

[Walt Iliff]

Mindy has been the head cook at several Youth Camps I've attended and it's true!! Mindy is terrific. That was one of the two reason's I wrote the following song. The second reason was that it appealed to my sense of whimsy to introduce a song at the "Sunny and Bare Show" (the Youth Camp finale on the last night) as Lyrics by Walt Iliff, music by George Gershwin.

Hail to the Chef

Lyrics by Walt Iliff
Music by George Gershwin


Suppertime and the burgers ain’t greasy
Fish are sizzling, and there’s plenty of fries
The cake is rich, and the pies are still cookin’
So let’s all thank Mindy, praise her to the skies.

One of these mornings, when Mindy cooks breakfast
With bacon and sausage, scrambled eggs and home fries
Biscuits and gravy, fruit juice and good coffee
When it comes to good cooking, our Mindy is wise

We love Mindy’s haystacks, when she uses real Fritos
Sloppy Mindys are a real nice surprise
The food here at youth camp, it just cannot be beaten
Each meal is a winner, our cook Mindy’s a prize

So…. Suppertime and the burgers ain’t greasy
Fish are sizzling, and there’s plenty of fries
The cake is rich, and the pies are still cookin’
So let’s all thank Mindy, praise her to the skies.

(obviously, to the tune of "Summertime"

Walt Iliff

[Cheri]

They have these?

They are definitely there with great supervision. The camp counselors are screened. The camps give the students a chance to interact with others in their age groups. After they attend the camps, they have an opportunity to attend Nude U.

These are nudism's future leaders.
Cheri